HMCS Montréal’s crew bid an emotional farewell to their families and friends during a departure ceremony in Halifax.

This was ahead of a six-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region where they will participate in international training exercises.

The 247 sailors, soldiers, and aviators were supposed to leave Sunday morning, but the departure was delayed to repair a small mechanical issue discovered Friday.

The vessel sailed Sunday evening.

In a release, Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand said, “Canada is a Pacific country, and the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region are of paramount importance to our future. By boosting our annual naval deployments from two to three frigates, Canada is reaffirming its commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. As outlined in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada will continue to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. I wish our sailors fair winds and following seas.”